Tech3 KTM Factory Racing leaves Portugal with mixed feelings today after Raul Fernandez was declared unfit to race this morning following his Q1 crash yesterday afternoon. Although his right hand is not broken, Raul and his team made the decision to not race at the Portuguese Grand Prix in order to be able to rest and attend the Gran Premio Red Bull de España next week in Jerez.

All hopes were on Remy Gardner, who had a decent weekend at the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve for his first time at the Portuguese rollercoaster with a MotoGP engine, in rainy conditions. Despite a small crash on Saturday afternoon, the rookie provided a great effort all weekend, and was looking forward to riding for the first time of the weekend in dry conditions. The Australian had twelve laps this morning to discover the track on the dry before placing himself on the grid in P20 for the twenty-five lap race.

When the lights went out for the fifth round of the season at 13:00 local time (GMT-1), Remy did not have the start he was hoping for and found himself at the back in the first corner. He managed to recover quickly and overtook a few riders such as Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, although it unfortunately meant that he lost the group ahead of him. Remy had a very good race pace throughout the first half, and registered his best race lap on lap 13 in 1’40.494. A few crashes meant that points were up for the grab, and the rookie took his chance by reaching the line in P14, scoring points in the MotoGP class for the second time after the Grand Prix of Qatar. Remy finishes best rookie and second KTM rider, a great achievement for Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team who get its best result of the season so far.

With high hopes to have Raul Fernandez back amongst his team next week, the French squad will now be heading to Jerez for the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, from April 29 to May 1.

Remy Gardner

Position: 14th

Championship: 22nd

Points: 3

"The race was the first time of the weekend we were able to ride in the dry, because this morning was still a bit humid. I did not get a good start and found myself last at the first corner, but I managed to recover quickly. It is unfortunate because once I passed both Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, I started to have a decent pace, but by that time the group ahead had made a consequent gap already.  It is a bit of a shame because halfway through the race, we had a decent pace so I think that I could have aimed for a Top 10.

I feel positive about today. I scored two points, although some riders crashed, but it is still two points in the bag after a hectic weekend here in Portugal. It has been my best race so far this season, and I feel like if we would have had more dry time, I would have had more chances on my side, but I am happy overall anyway."

Hervé Poncharal

Team Manager

"Very happy to finally be back in the points with Remy Gardner. It has been a difficult weekend for the entire MotoGP class in tough weather conditions. If we forget about the Q1 crash which was understandable, Remy had a great weekend here in Portugal and did what we expect from a rookie: do as many laps as possible, continue to push, keep the never-give up attitude, and try to learn as much as he can as the race weekends go on.

His start to the race was not great, but he kept his focus and overtook a few riders to find himself quickly in front of all the other rookies. Of course, some riders did not finish the race and it made us finish in the points with P14, our best result so far this season in MotoGP. Remy is the best rookie of the weekend, and this was our target. Marco Bezzecchi started from the second row, but Remy was able to catch him, overtake him and create a six-second gap with him, which is something that we can be proud of.

We could be a happier team if we had had our two riders on the grid but unfortunately Raul Fernandez hurt his right hand and was unfit to race today. I am sure that he would have been with Remy and we might have scored points with our two riders. Hopefully he took the opportunity to continue his learning-curve while watching the race from the garage. It looks like he will be able to race at his home Grand Prix next week in Jerez, so we hope that he will be back with us. Thank you to the riders and the team for their efforts this weekend."